OCTOBER
To print this month's poster click here.
COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE
This month we're focusing on building confidence. How can we encourage our kids to be brave? How can we help our kids step out of their comfort zone and try new things? Here at Springs, we want all of our students to find their inner strength and be the best they can be.
We hope you enjoy our resources this month and every month during our Year of PLAY!
Personalized Learning = Active You
October Family Movie: Brave
Set in the Scottish Highlands, the film tells the story of Princess Merida of DunBroch who defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in the kingdom by expressing the desire not to be betrothed. When Queen Elinor, her mother, falls victim to a beastly curse turning into a bear, Merida must look within herself and find the key to saving the kingdom.
OCTOBER FAMILY BUCKET LIST
Field Trip
Take your kids to an Outdoor Adventure Playground in Irvine or Huntington Beach
Craft Ideas
Once the bravery badges are finished, each child can present a bravery button to a friend or family member in celebration of a brave deed. Or, give kids a white t-shirt to design their own family crest
Tasty Treats
Merida's wee triplet brothers, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish are ever willing to step up to the plate for their feisty older sister - especially if it happens to be topped with a sweet reward. Made with biscuit dough and frosted with maple-flavored glaze, these Scottish buns are a quick and scrumptious treat for kids to help bake.
INDOOR GAME OF THE MONTH
Faux laser beam obstacle course
Players navigate through a maze of red or brightly-colored streamers that are affixed to the walls with tape. Tell kids their mission -- if they choose to accept it -- is getting safely to the other side without touching any “laser beams.”
Click here for more inventive indoor family games!
7 C's ACTIVITIES
Be part of a CARING COMMUNITY, COMMUNICATE to build friendships, CONNECT with themselves and others, have CONFIDENCE and self-esteem, COPE with disappointment and conflict, CELEBRATE themselves and others!
ELEMENTARY
DAILY REFLECTION WORKSHEET
Click here for this and more free printable mindfulness activities.
SECONDARY
Stress Action Plan
Use this worksheet to record your biggest stressors and what you can do to deal with that stressor.
BOOKS THAT PROMOTE BRAVERY & CONFIDENCE
PRIMARY
Little Penguin Pip-Pip would love to join in with all his friends swimming in the sea, but there's just one problem . . . he's scared of water. Can Pip-Pip overcome his fears and finally take the plunge?
Saying goodbye to neighbors. Worrying about new friends. Passing through a big city. Seeing a dark road ahead. In these moments, a young girl feels small and quiet and alone. But when she breathes deeply and looks inside herself, a hidden spark of courage appears, one she can nurture and grow until she glows inside and out.
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.
INTERMEDIATE
Marc learns to become a Warrior Kid after his uncle Jake, a Navy SEAL, comes to stay for the summer.
A story about finding your inner strength and being the best you can be, even in the face of adversity.
Being a kid today isn't easy! Way of the Warrior Kid gives children the tools to overcome life's challenges with a fun and inspiring story any child can relate to!
SECONDARY
A rendition of the legend of Saint George, recounting how the brave, mysterious horseman saved a city from a terrible dragon.
HAVE SOME FUN WITH WRITING
Download and print these fun writing activities for elementary and secondary students.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
UNSTRUCTURED PLAY: KID-FRIENDLY BACKYARD TOYS
Basic childhood toys, such as balls, hula hoops, jump ropes, and stilts, are great for simple, active fun. One of our favorites, though, is a set of activity cones which are fabulous for open-ended play as they can be used so many different ways. They are perfect for setting up obstacle courses, made-up games, and races.
A trampoline is another backyard element that you may want to consider. Our large 15 foot trampoline has been well worth the investment and doubles as a backyard room. The kids play there every day and it’s the playdate hangout of choice. (Or you might try a mini trampoline that can be moved indoors or outdoors).
STRUCTURED PLAY: STEAL THE BACON
How to Play It: Teams are divided evenly and each person is designated a number. Each team stands on opposite sides with a shoe sitting in the middle (doesn’t have to be a shoe, just something easy to hold). When a number is called, the designated players from each team run for the coveted item and try to get it back to their side. If you succeed, you get a point.
What Makes It Great: Direct competition; plus, the designated caller can set up quality rivalries.
FUN HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The Courageous Egg (Suggested for all grades)
Materials: Wide-mouthed glass or jar, uncooked rice, egg
Place the egg in the middle of the glass completely covered by rice. Explain that the egg represents someone who hanging with the crowd. One day the group starts making fun of other people, the egg doesn't like it so he tells them to stop (tap the top of the rim, the egg will rise up from the rice with each tap). Next, the group of friends starts excluding others from their games (tap the rim) and they start telling lies. Each time the egg refuses to go along with his friends and stands up for what's right (tap again). Continue until the egg has completely risen above the rice. Tell the students it takes courage to do the right thing when others are not. A courageous person will rise to the top and stand out from the rest!
On a Roll (Suggested for all grades)
Materials: One sheet of copy paper, small book
Show the class the piece of paper and ask them if there is any way the paper can hold up the book, using only one hand to hold the paper. You can ask for several volunteers to try; soon they will realize there is no way. Now take the paper and roll it tightly into a tube, a diameter of about 1 to ½ inches. Hold the tube in one hand and carefully place the book on top of the open end of the tube. It should support the book. Relate this to the ability we all have to turn our weaknesses into strengths and show courage. The paper at first is flimsy, weak, lacking backbone and character- easy to crush and overwhelm. This might be compared to some people who are faced with a problem or obstacle, they may lack the courage to confront the problem or stand up to the opposition. But, with determination, we can turn our weaknesses into strengths. Just as the paper can be rolled into a sturdy tube, we can work to add muscle to our weaknesses if we have the courage to persist. We will then develop the backbone to hold up under pressure. Ask the students to give examples of what someone could do to turn a weakness into a strength. Example: Marty has to give a presentation in class and he is afraid to speak in front of his classmates.
just for laughs
Teach the kids these fun terms inspired by the movie, Brave
BUNCH OF GALOOTS: Many fools (galoot = clumsy, oafish person)
DREADFUL COLLYWOBBLES: Unwanted stomachache or a bad case of the nerves
JIGGERY POKERY: Nonsense
JINGS CRIVENS HELP MA BOAB: Oh my! Exclamation of bewilderment or exasperation
LASS: Girl
LAD: Boy
MICHTY ME: Wow! Holy cow! An exclamation of surprise, shock or being overwhelmed
NUMPTY: Useless individual
